What’s with your nickname, ‘Mr. Polo?’

During my senior year in high school, I was looking to wear something different for my senior portraits. My mom told me to make sure I wear some bright colors, and I saw the Polos and I was hooked. People may say that they are kind of plain, but sometimes plain is good. I just identify with the brand. To me, the horseman says a lot. It’s strong, clean, and smart. People started calling me Mr. Polo because I only wear Polo clothes. I have enough shirts to wear a different one every day for a month. My friend even Photoshopped ‘Mr. Polo’ onto my pictures on my Facebook page.

What is the style of ECU?

I don’t think ECU has just one style. It’s a really diverse place with a lot of cultures and a lot of ethnic groups. That’s one of the things I really like about this university. You come here and you’re not going to see the same people every day. You can always meet someone new, and that’s why I try my best to get involved on campus. There are so many people here that you can meet and learn from. I try to take advantage of those opportunities. I guess the style of ECU is that you can be comfortable being yourself, and no one will make you feel like you should be anything different.

What is your best ECU memory?

When I first moved into Jarvis Hall my freshman year, after my mom kissed me good-bye and my parents left without me, it finally kicked in that I was in college. It felt like I was supposed to be leaving with them, but I couldn’t. I remember sitting in my room, alone, waiting for my roommate to get there, wondering what to do. I decided to go for a walk around campus and I quickly started to fall in love with the place. I think I really knew I was going to be okay, when I walked past a couple of upperclassmen girls who were coming out of the student store. One of them said to the other, ‘The freshmen are looking good this year!’ That did it for me. I felt pretty good after that.